SURROUNDING PLACES OF INTEREST

PARKS & LAKES:

TUNNEL HILL BIKE TRAIL: CLICK HERE FOR LINKThe Shawnee Group is pleased to present the following virtual tour of the Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois to supplement the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' website that offers the State's interpretation of the trail. The 44.9 mile trail can be broken into a minimum of eight segments listed below. There are additional trail heads where day trips can be started and stopped. The northern most end of the trail is in Harrisburg. The southern trailhead is at Karnak, Illinois. The Tunnel Hill stop is located just 2 miles East of Bella Terra Winery.

BELL SMITH SPRINGS: CLICK HERE FOR LINKOne of the most unique and precious places in the natural world, Bell Smith Springs in Southern Illinois is a an essential destination for anyone interested in native ecology and local history. It is designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Park Service, a Natural Area by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, and a recreation area by the U. S. Forest Service. This gorgeous canyon and its surrounding watershed have been studied by scientists and enjoyed by visitors for generations.

LAKE GLENDALE: CLICK HERE FOR LINKLocated just off Highway 145, south of Glendale, Illinois, Lake Glendale is the perfect choice for recreational activities. With over 80 acres of clearwater lake, there is a wide range of activities for your enjoyment. Whether your interests include swimming, fishing, hiking, mountain biking or camping, Lake Glendale offers it all!

LAKE OF EGYPT: CLICK HERE FOR LINKLake of Egypt is a man-made lake in the Little Egypt region of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located six miles (10 km) south of Marion, Illinois and covers 2,300 acres (9 kmē) with 90 miles (145 km) of shoreline.

DIXON SPRINGS STATE PARK: CLICK HERE FOR LINKDixon Springs State Park is one of several state parks in the Illinois Shawnee Hills. The park is on a giant block of rock which was dropped 200 feet along a fault line that extends northwesterly across Pope County.The 801 acre park is about 10 miles west of Golconda on Illinois Route 146 near its junction with Illinois Route 145. The first land acquisition was in 1946.

GARDEN OF THE GODS: CLICK HERE FOR LINKGarden of the Gods is located in southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest. The Wilderness area is over 320 million years old and covers over 3,300 acres of beautiful old growth forest.. The sediment rock in this area is over 4 miles deep and the fractured bedrock has created some interesting rock formations that represent various objects.

CAVE IN ROCK: CLICK HERE FOR LINKFew natural formations are as awe-inspiring or intriguing as a cave. The deep, dark recesses immediately conjure up images of adventure, mystery, terror, robbers and pirates.

FORT MASSAC STATE PARK: CLICK HERE FOR LINKExperience the scenic splendor of Southern Illinois with plenty of outdoor fun and time-telling events at Fort Massac State Park. Overlooking the mighty Ohio River from the southern tip of Illinois, this majestic location has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois first state park.

ATTRACTIONS

SUPERMAN STATUE: CLICK HERE FOR LINKMetropolis is the the self-proclaimed "Hometown of Superman," celebrating its local hero every possible way it can.

SHAWNEE QUEEN RIVER TAXI: CLICK HERE FOR LINKTake a scenic cruise of the historical Ohio River, with stops in Golconda,Rosiclare,Elizabethtown, and Cave In Rock.

KORNBREAD JUNCTION: CLICK HERE FOR LINKEnjoy a weekend stay at Kornbread Junction, morris acres bed & breakfast, theatre and playhouse, in Tunnel Hill, Illinois, a rustic bed and breakfast that makes a great base for exploring beautiful, scenic, Tunnel Hill State Trail. Located just 2 miles from Bella Terra Winery.

HUNTING CLUBS:

D & M HUNTING CLUB: CLICK HERE FOR LINKYou'll experience the fun and excitement of hunting the "Big Game" of waterfowl, the Canada Goose, flying off the adjoining Crab Orchard Refuge in search of food and water, only to be lured into your field of corn, wheat, lespedeza, fescue, four lakes, large decoy spreads, expert calling and field control.

ODLE'S HUNTING CLUB: CLICK HERE FOR LINKWe are located in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, 60 miles north of Cario, Illinois.We are next to the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge where thousands of ducks and geese winter.

CRAB ORCHARD HUNTING CLUB: CLICK HERE FOR LINKCrab Orchard Hunting Club is the premiere waterfowl hunting club in Southern Illinois. Season after season, more Canada geese, snow geese and ducks are harvested by our hunters than any other hunting facility in Southern Illinois. If you're interested in hunting waterfowl, you need to hunt with Crab Orchard Hunting Club.

If you are looking for a place to hunt with friends or a way to entertain your clients, we would like to help you plan your trip. Pike's Hunting Club offers some of the finest goose and duck hunting you will find anywhere in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.

BED & BREAKFAST

COUNTRY SCHEMES: CLICK HERE FOR LINKCountry Schemes Bed and Breakfast is located on a rustic third generation family farm nestled in a quiet, peaceful and natural environment in Southern Illinois. Slow to the pace and enjoy hiking, fishing and relaxation while listening to the sounds of the wild.

OAKRIDGE MANOR: CLICK HERE FOR LINKOakridge Manor Bed and Breakfast. Located on 98 acres in the center of the Shawnee National Forest area, Oakridge Manor offers the perfect opportunity for recreation and relaxation. Originally built as a horse farm and country estate, the Manor has been recently restored and updated.

IRISH INN: CLICK HERE FOR LINKGuests enjoy magical starscapes, night sounds of the forest, close proximity to many attractions and natural areas, the company of a native Dubliner, and full Irish breakfasts.

1889 Victorian Bed & Breakfast Inn just one block from the Ohio River and Harrah's Riverboat Casino in Metropolis, Illinois and seven miles fromPaducah, Kentucky. A short drive from either St Louis or Nashville.

CASINOS:

HARRAHS METROPOLIS: CLICK HERE FOR LINKLocated in beautiful southern Illinois on the picturesque Ohio River, Harrah's Metropolis brings the pulse-pounding excitement of Las Vegas straight to you with 258 premier rooms, exceptional dining, live entertainment and a vibrant casino floor.

SPORTS

PADUCAH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: CLICK HERE FOR LINKPaducah International Raceway, PIR as it has been called for years, was built in 1972 and was operated by different business partners until 1975. Charles Harrison purchased the track in 1975. Charlie had been involved with the Reidland Speedway for eight years prior to purchasing PIR.

We have a variety of informational brochures for wineries on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail available at our front counter. Enjoy the day driving through the scenic country side and visit other wineries in the community.